Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1887-09-27
MISCELLANEOUS.
A Bank watchman's Story.


How long have been abank watchman ?"
repeated Daniel McShane as he took the pipe
away from his mouth and slowly blew the
smoke away.
'sWell, sir I've put in over thirty years ut
tt nc -4I5i Z ~ ?. s - ~
"But you are not ffiord than forty now.'
"Forty-one, sir, and began the business
when 1 was ten years old"
"That was tender age. and there must be
u story connected with your debut"
Right you arc, sir, and If you have half an
hour to spare well have n pot of beer together
and I'll tell You the yarn When was n kid
of eight my father was made night watchman
of the old Traders Bank, of Philadelphia
Everything was very primitive then, as you
may remember. There were bad men about
but there was no need of burglar-proof safes
and time locks to circumvent them. Banks
were then run about the same us stores. The
Traders opened at eight in the morning and
closed ut five in the afternoon, and the last Of
fetal did not leave until seven, at which time
my father went on duty He was on from that
hour until seven in the morning but was not
supposed to be awake all the time. He had q
cot-bed in the Office and many night he slept
all night without once opening his eyes, al
though he was supposed to sleep SO lightly
that every noise would arouse him. He was
provided with club and n shotgun and there
was no fear of his honesty or courage.
"Things went on very quietly for u couple
of years, and I was then employed as a sort of
messenger boy by a restaurant man who kept
his place open oil night. II a drunken man
came in, which was nightly occurrence, or n
loafer to jump his bill, which was often the
case, made a run of two blocks to the police
station for an officer. In this way, and by act
ing as u waiter ut one of the tables, I earned a
small weekly salary. aud in the bargainit was
agreed that 1 should carry my father lunch
every night at midnight This consisted Of q
pail of hot coffee, a sandwich and a piece of
pic. was always off at the stroke of twelve,
took walk of two squares, and father was
generally at the door waiting for me.
You will readily see, sir, that the circufn-
stances furnished a sharp man the occasion TO
do big stroke of work, but It was two years
before they were taken advantage of. Then
couple of crooks, one of whom was from En-
gland, set up the racket. For several nights
was followed from the restaurant to the bank
and back. 1t was known why made the trip,
how father received me and how long re-
malned inside. Ny time in the bank was
about quarter Of an hour and then fatherlct
me ont and sometimes stood at the door and
watched me down to the corner. Well, as It
turned out. the crooks put 1t up TO get into the
bank us came out or Just after had gone
They had timed the officer on that beat and at
half past twelve he was invariably ut the other
end of his beat, five squares away. The police
business at that time was run in q Eaphazard
d1fk -lo f,
doorway or patrol his beat as he was inclined.
1t was pretty good man on that beat but he
was a slow walker and fond of his pipe. AS
his smoking was done at the other end Of his
beat he was certain to take his time about
coming back
Did have my suspicious? did. sir. Beg
ging your pardon for what seems Ike boasting
but was accounted q very sharp boy at that
age. and think realized fathers responsible
tiles more than he did himself. was always
giving him a word of caution, and the first time
was followed suspicioned that some evil
was intended and I warned him not 70 open
the door until knocked. The next night the
two men were close at my heels and would
not knock until they had left me. Father
agreed with me that 1t was best TO be cautious,
and the next day the old gun was discharged
and loaded anew. I was followed on the third,
fourth and fifth nights, and 1t was on this lat
ter night that the climax came. AS left the
restaurant I was Joined by one of the men.
who claimed to be vessel owner, and who
asked me how would like TO go to sea. He
gave me lot of tafy about my being the
smartest boy he ever saw and wishing TO do
something for me-. and as we arrived at the
bank door he halted with me and said he would
step in and see father Attic same time / saw